Kauai Pursues Biomass and Wind Power and Solar Water Heating

May 17, 2006

Hawaii has abundant renewable energy resources and no fossil fuel
resources, and that latter fact has left the state largely dependent
on expensive fuel imports delivered by ship. Fortunately, Hawaii's
utilities are expressing a growing interest in renewable energy
sources to meet their needs. The Kauai Island Utility Cooperative
(KIUC) is a case in point: the utility is currently working with
three companies to develop renewable energy power plants on the
island. Green Energy Hawaii will develop a 7.5-megawatt "closed loop"
biomass power plant, using a dedicated supply of woodchips and other
biomass grown on a local tree farm. The plant will gasify the biomass
and use the hot gas to power a turbine. In addition, Cleaves & Company
will relocate a 4.5-megawatt biomass plant from California to Kauai.
The plant will be fueled with California walnut shells at first, but
the company plans to develop local biomass sources. Finally, UPC Kauai
Wind Power, LLC will develop a 10.5- to 15-megawatt wind power plant.
See the KIUC press releases on the contracts with Green Energy Hawaii
(PDF 481 KB),
Cleaves & Company (PDF 483 KB),
and UPC Kauai Wind Power (PDF 304 KB).
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The utility is also encouraging its customers to employ renewable
energy through a solar water heating incentive program. In addition to
rebates and a state tax incentive, the utility has teamed up with a
credit union and a housing agency to offer no-interest loans on solar
water heating systems. See the KIUC press release
(PDF 482 KB).